Feedback on Wish Trip itenary for seaworld

[alexwick]

My 3 year old daughter has leukemia, and we will be going in a Wish Trip with her and her siblings in may. Now I have never been there and it is a bit overwhelming for me.
I read the below post in the disability thread, but I can't quite follow.
I tried to look at the Web page and make sense off it. But quote couldn't. The poster doesn't seem to be active in board anymore... Can someone who has been there maybe explain what she means?

My main questions are...
What do I have to "book" in advanced?
What shows are free?
What about the dine with shame and the vip seats?

I really appreciate everyone's response!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32142723&postcount=2114

If I was doing the Wish Trip all over again, I would get to Sea World around 10, feed the dolphins and take awesome pics, feed the stingrays, and do the Dine with Shamu meal (around 11:15 when we were there) and then use our VIP seats (from the meal) to see the Shamu main show. We would be done around 2:00. Then we could leave, because we were pretty much done by then anyway. Then you could do an extra park (maybe Universal) for the afternoon or maybe do Sea World on a "rest" day for your family and spend the rest of the day at GKTW.

 

[919Florida]

What do I have to "book" in advanced?
Tours should be booked in advance other then that your good

What shows are free?
All shows are free. no show has an extra cost

What about the dine with shamu and the vip seats?
Currently Dine with Shamu is closed and should be reopening in Early April. This is a meal if you want to do you should book in advance also as it does sell out.

As for VIP seating you can purcahse this as well and it gives you reserved seating in the middle of the stadium and has some great viewes and you dont have to show up early to get those seats. just 15 mins early is good.

As for what that poster had previously said dont plan to leave at 2. SeaWorld has so much to see and do and if you leave at 2 you wont see half of it. Blue Horizons dolphin show, Clyde and Seamore the Sealion show, Pets Ahoy is very cute and if you go after April you will have one Ocean again but if not enjoy shamu up close which is amazing. They have some great attractions to ride also and animal habitats to see.

Any questions let us know

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I agree with the PP, Seaworld is an all-day park (and then some). You could easily spend the day from open to close, assuming your DD has the stamina to keep going. I would think the only thing keeping you from enjoying a full day would be your daughter's fragile health and how park touring affects her.

The shows, the rides and the exhibits are all included with your admission. Food, animal feedings, games (the carnival-style ones), photos and special tours or seating passes will cost you extra, but don't have to be purchased in order to have a great day.

This forum is a GREAT place for you to find all sorts of information that will help with your trip. As you think of any other questions, feel free to toss them out .

 

[alexwick]

thank you both of you!

Now let me ask some more questions:
So the Feedings itself are free, but the fish you have to pay for?

so she suggests firs the dolphin feeding and then the Stingray feeding...

- How much are the fish?
- are these "attractions" close to each other?

- Dine with Shamu should be up and running by then if read correctly, since we go in May. I might wanna email Sea world...

and then use our VIP seats (from the meal) to see the Shamu main show.

can someone explain?

Also i understand that you can spend whole day plus there. We will see, since we are only there for 6 days... 3 days disney. Aquatica. Universal, Legoland... lots of ground to cover... So we try to get the best from each park, and might have to hit 2 in a day occasionally...
Was considering to do SW Aquatica in the afternoon...


also have read read some rides are not worth the time... now I understand everyone has different oppinions...

We hated the Wild Arctic ride, Turtle Trek, and Empire of the Penguin, to be honest, and we'd never do them again.

Low Points

Antarctica
Really? All this is is the Cat in the Hat ride, but less fun and with penguins at the end. What a waste. We waited in line 20 minutes b/c we went early, and I still felt we waited too long. Unless you are obsessed with penguins, this ride is simply a waste of time.

Turtle TrekThis attraction is reallllllly outdated. Movie "technology" like this seemed cutting edge 30 years ago, but today it's laughable. My daughter was bored to tears and hated every second of it...

Wild ArcticIt was nice to walk through and see the animals, but the "helicopter ride" portion is a joke. It jostles you around a lot, but the simulation aspect is pretty sad.

Voyager's SmokehouseThe desserts were great, but the two entrees we had were not too good. .....

Journey to AtlantisThis flume ride is actually "okay", but it's kind of cheesy and needs updating...

 

[rowan555]

I think that's my quote above. I do think a 3 year old would love Empire of the Penguin - my 12 year old just found it really lame. It's a great kiddie ride.

There's also a whole area with rides for small children - we didn't even walk past it when we were there, I'm not sure how we missed it! But it's got plenty for your 3 yo to enjoy.

With a 3 yo, and with limited park time, I'd focus on hitting a few of the shows and checking out the little kids' area - and then Empire of the Penguin if there's time and the lines aren't too long.

 

[919Florida]

So I visit SeaWorld twice a week and I don’t feed the animals that much but to give you a rough idea its between $5 and $7 to feed the animals. However if you want to feed all three different types of animals let the person know at the first feeding station and there is a small discount if you do that

Shamu's Happy harbor would be a great area for you to go to because all the smaller children’s rides are all grouped together here. About 7 or 8 of them. You can really have lots of fun here. Its located just behind shamu stadium.

The bigger attractions are scattered around the park.

Dine with shamu might have included reserved seating at all the shows at one time but it does not anymore

Ride Opinions:
Wild arctic Ride: The simulator is rough and a little out of date. If you dont want to wait for the ride bypass it by taking the walking route. Seeing the Belugas and Polar Bear and Walrus is well worth the journey and should not be passed up.

Turtle Treck: The pre-show area has amazing displays of the Florida Manatees and Turtles and tropical fish. They are beautiful to see. You are in an underwater viewing area here. I really don’t see any issues with the Turtle Treck film. It’s only a couple of years old. It is in a standing room only theater and its the world first 360 degree domed 3D theater that tells a great story of the challenges a sea turtle faces and in the end how we can make a difference to help.

Empire of the Penguin: This is actually one of my favorites. Last year I rode it 78 times!! THe ride is quick and not much to it but the spinning is fun and if you don’t have to wait long it is fun. If there is a long wait once you get inside the building you can say that you don’t want to ride and just want to see the penguins. THey will take you to the non-rider area and then you can still go in the habitat to see them. Its amazing to see and very very cold. But nothing like seeing penguins up close and free of walls and barriers. You may even get splashed a few times when they swim by.

Hope this helps.

 

[alexwick]

thank you for the detailed reply!

i will definitely take it in consideration!

I have tried to find out the schedule for the animal feedings...

is there one online? per phone app? etc? or just in the park?

 

[razzery]

thank you for the detailed reply!

i will definitely take it in consideration!

I have tried to find out the schedule for the animal feedings...

is there one online? per phone app? etc? or just in the park?

Dolphin feeds are at 9:30, 10:30, 12:30, 2:30, and 4:00. The other feeds are continuous throughout the day between 11 and 5. The dolphin feed has been selling out even in off season and is definitely the best $7 you can spend in the park. So worth it!

Make a wish families do get the feed included, just let the greeter know and they will point you in the right direction.

 

[alexwick]

The dolphin feed has been selling out even in off season and is definitely the best $7 you can spend in the park. So worth it!

So do I need to be there earlier then the actually feedings if they sell out?

 

[Amstar]

For this type of trip take a look at the VIP tour. It's like79 dollars extra per adult and 59 dollars per child. It's got all day dinning, front of the line access to the rides, 6 hour tour, priority seating to the shows... The tour guide goes and gets the trays of fish for you to feed the dolphins, rays, and seals.

All around everything it seems you are looking for without the stress. Get to the park at 9am go check in for the tour eat some breakfast... Then the tour starts at 10:30am.

 

[razzery]

So do I need to be there earlier then the actually feedings if they sell out?

I'd recommend being there at least about 10 minutes prior to the feed start time. The lines do look long but generally around 200-250 people can get in per feed time. Wish kids do have a separate entrance though and will not have to wait in the same line.

 

[alexwick]

Ok, so i inquired about the Dine with Shamu...

It seems like it is really a DINE (not lunch) anymore... It will come back for 4pm and 6 pm. for Sea World Orlando.

Now since we only plan not necessary to stay the whole day... I am not quite sure if it is really worth the money... especially sicne they DO NOT do the preferred seating with the "Dine with Shamu" for the main shwo anymore!

And we do get free Meals at give kids the world.... might have to check how much the Dine with Shamu costs...

So what would you do? Still do the Dine with Shamu, or just go to the One world show ??

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

So what would you do? Still do the Dine with Shamu, or just go to the One world show ??

Two totally different experiences. If I had my choice, I'd do both .

If your budget will allow, Dine With Shamu is a fun experience and a really good meal. Its very "informal" feeling and rather educational. Its neat to sit and eat while the whales show off their amazing abilities at the encouragement of the trainers, with lots of verbal commentary and explanation from the SW staffers along the way.

One Ocean is a show, done only in the polish that SeaWorld seems to have. Its not spontaneous at all, with choreographed and well-planned tricks and flips and splashes. While its informational, its meant to be entertaining. Its one of the best shows at SW, in my opinion. Spectacular.

If you can do both (assuming the budget allows), then I'd do both. If not, I would say skip the meal and go to One Ocean. Going to SW and not seeing One Ocean is like going to Disney and not getting a hug from Mickey Mouse.

You can check out my December trip report (see the link in my signature) for lots of photos and a full write up of our experience at Dine With Shamu. Maybe that will help you make your decision .

 

[bowtie7]

It may be a good idea to check with the organization the arranged the wish or directly with Give the Kids the World. Give the Kids the World is a great organization and gets incredible cooperation from the area parks. They may have information on what arrangement they have with SeaWorld or information on how to best plan the day to your specific needs. While I see you only have a limited number of days, remember that touring any of the parks can be tiring to anyone. I have always found SeaWorld to be a beautiful and more peaceful place to visit. It could be a great place to visit mid-trip for an easier day. Have a wonderful trip.